Visiting Joshua Tree National Park from San Diego is one of the best weekend trips you can take, if not the best, in my opinion. If you’re looking for a place to visit for a couple days that’s driving distance from San Diego, you actually have a lot of amazing options. There’s LA (from Disneyland to Malibu), Big Bear, Catalina Island, or even Mexico. But there’s something special about Joshua Tree. I’ve been there three times and each visit was better than the last. The landscape and vibe is so different from the beach life of San Diego, which makes it the perfect option for a weekend away.
This post is all about the most recent trip we took to Joshua Tree in March of 2019. I’ve also been in April and November. I would be hesitant to visit in summer, however, because desert temperatures would be unbearable.
Getting There
The drive from San Diego to the surrounding towns of Joshua Tree takes about 3 hours, very doable for a weekend stay. However, depending where you come from in San Diego, this can be as short as 2-2.5 hours. The bad thing about the drive (especially on weekends) is how much traffic there is. We left on a Friday at 3 pm and didn’t arrive until 7:30! So definitely keep that in mind.
Where To Stay
AirBnB reigns king in Joshua Tree. There are soooo many amazing places to stay, so just have a browse at what’s available during your dates. This visit we stayed at Joshua Tree Acres, which I’d seen photos of online for 2 years before finally making it there myself. We rented the 1975 airstream and it was so dreamy! I highly recommend staying in one of their airstreams, but know that it is more of a glamping situation. There’s no running water in the airstreams, and there’s only plug in AC/heaters. However there is a common area on the grounds that provides all those comforts. We cooked dinner in the common space, used the bathrooms there, and relaxed inside when we needed extra warmth. The grounds also have two outdoor baths, a hot tub, and a salt water pool (the pool was unfortunately not filled when we visited). There are fire pits around which we used at night to make smore’s under the stars. It was a truly wonderful stay where we got to disconnect from TV and our phones and connect with each other and other guests staying at the same time. I also loved the interior of the airstream and spending time inside– it really took me back to another era!
Visiting Joshua Tree National Park
I was content to spend a lot of time in/around our airstream, but the reason you stay so close to the park is so you can spend a day or two exploring it! This was my third time visiting Joshua Tree National Park, but Ollie’s first, and I really hoped he would love it as much as I had come to. I’m happy to say the park exceeded his expectations! This trip we hiked to Barker’s Dam, saw Skull Rock and Cholla Cactus Garden, and enjoyed the winding drive and beautiful views between each stop. In previous trips I’ve also been to Keys View and hiked to the top of Ryan Mountain, both of which I highly recommend as well. It costs $30 per vehicle to enter the park, or you can buy a yearly pass for $55 if you plan on coming back another day or two. There is definitely enough to do/see if you want to spend more than just one day.
Other Things to do in Joshua Tree
Besides enjoying your accommodation and the national park, there is actually quite a bit to do in the surrounding area. There are a lot of great restaurants, but each time I’ve gone we’ve focused on making meals to enjoy in our AirBnb. That being said, I have been to Joshua Tree Coffee Company and Joshua Tree Saloon–I would recommend both!
Another popular stop during a visit to Joshua Tree is a place called The Integratron. Visitors go there to experience one of their crystal sound baths, which Ollie and I did on this visit, but the property’s fascinating history involving aliens was also a highlight. It’s hard to explain what this place is like, so just go and see yourself! Book as far in advance as possible though because of how popular it is.
Sample Itinerary for a Weekend in Joshua Tree
Friday
- Leave San Diego and drive to Joshua Tree (our trip was 3 pm-7:30 pm).
- Arrive at Joshua Tree Acres and make a homemade dinner using their outdoor kitchen.
- Eat dinner together in the common room or outside if it’s warm enough. If you’re inside throw a record on the record player and pour yourself a glass of wine.
- Chat with the other lovely guests until 2 a.m. and make new friends or head to your airstream for some solitude.
Saturday
- Give yourself time to enjoy a slow cup of coffee and breakfast in the morning sun.
- Pack a picnic lunch and head over to the national park.
- Spend the day driving through Joshua Tree National Park, stopping off at whichever viewpoints or hikes strike your fancy. Take in the beautiful and strange surroundings!
- Head back to Joshua Tree Acres–the hot tub is calling your name.
- Relax for an hour in the hot tub and enjoy the view of airstreams all around.
- Do whatever your heart desires for dinner.
- When night falls, light up a fire in one of the fire pits.
- Sit by the fire and have a chat while making smore’s, drinking beers, and gazing at the stars.
- Enjoy one last drink before bed in the airstream. Let the design take you back to the 70s!
Sunday
- One last morning coffee before checking out of this dreamy accommodation.
- Head to The Integratron for your sound bath experience.
- Stop into Joshua Tree Saloon for lunch before driving back to San Diego.
- Arrive back in San Diego around 4 pm.
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